My geography professor assigned us a final project rather than a final this semester. Sounds cool and all… but. Let’s be real. A final merely requires the simple study hours whereas a project requires you to get out of your room and into the field. School and work ferociously eats up my energy everyday already, so the thought of getting off my butt sounded like a drag.
And then, my professor told us ever-so bluntly that we can do whatever we want for the final. All she required was that we make a legitimate map.
At that realization, I decided to stop the lazy/whiny/senioritis talk and take advantage of this project as an opportunity. You see, I am graduating this year from SJSU and the one thing that consistently kept me sane in these four years was the art community. So… Why not take advantage of this project as a chance to capture the art in my most recent home and share it with my global studies comrades?
And with that thought, I decided to share it with you guys too. I swear, although this school was my last choice, this city has spoiled me with art and love like it was meant to be.
- ChiChai@Empire
P.s. Nimbus 2000 modeled to serve as a scale lol
Spring Break 4 Evah!
Finally taking a break from bombarding your dashboards with an influx of buy-me-now links. I decided to share some good ol’ Californian appreciation.
Money and time created a travel radius limit this spring break, but hey! Nothing is wrong with the “backyard.”
Christopher, Jen, Anthony, and I headed down to Santa Cruz for its famous soft sands, boardwalk, and arcade. We made it seem like a dream date with jiggy music and Christopher’s cinematography (and the new clothes). You can read more about it here.
The day after, Christopher and I put on some black&orange, hopped on Bart and Muni, and basked in the sunlight pouring down the AT&T park. It was the pre-season game Giants vs A’s— a Bay Area battle royale. Just kidding. It wasn’t that epic (it was a pre-season game and… ugh, we lost.) But! Sitting in the bleachers, we got to enjoy the bleacher perks: easy-access to fatty food and beer, join the crowd in unified yelling and cursing, and laugh and high-five with everyone as though they were our best friends.
This spring break wasn’t that eventful but I am grateful nonetheless. Times like these make me appreciate what’s readily there. I suppose anyone’s backyard is awaiting playtime.
- ChiChai@Empire
P.s. I lied. This is the last day to purchase anything from the True Connections collection! Click here :)
Pre-sales end on March 31 April 1 for all three pieces of the collection True Connections.
The Cloud Tee, $20 The Jetpack CrewNeck, $30 The Bridge Hoodie, $40 And keep in mind that 10% of the profit will be going to Project PEARLS. My momma wants to use our donations towards their Brain Booster program, a program for “homework help, basic english, math, spelling, reading, writing tutorial, arts and crafts, story telling, fun learning games.”
Santa Cruz Jig
Christopher and I deviously tricked our friends Jen and Anthony to feature in a new video by inviting them on a double date to Santa Cruz. Actually, all our hangouts involve us throwing on some Empire shirts onto our friends and filming them. Just kidding! All the videos and photos are all voluntary [ I swear]. But… we really were on a double date… and we really did ask them to.
Anyway! In all seriousness, since we are all on Spring Break, Santa Cruz served as a good day vacation for us four. We ate scrumptious 1/2 lb burgers at Betty’s Burgers, got competitive at the arcade ( guess who won first place at Mario Kart— yee yee mfkas!), played wannabe DDR, strolled along the soft sanded beach, and ended the trip with good ol’ Marianne’s ice cream. It was gloomy but the good company made up for it. (Which is why Christopher and I couldn’t help but take advantage of these happy characters by putting Empire clothes on them haha.)
Thank you Jen and Anthony for joining us!
Everyone! Don’t forget that the 31st is the last day to pre-order anything from the True Connections collection at www.empireintheair.bigcartel.com
The Cloud Tee, $20 The Jetpack CrewNeck, $30 The Bridge Hoodie, $40
And keep in mind that 10% of the profit will be going to Project PEARLS. My momma wants to use our donations towards their Brain Booster program, a program for “homework help, basic english, math, spelling, reading, writing tutorial, arts and crafts, story telling, fun learning games.”
-ChiChai@Empire
Pre-sales end on March 31 for all three pieces of the collection True Connections.
The Cloud Tee, $20 The Jetpack CrewNeck, $30 The Bridge Hoodie, $40 And keep in mind that 10% of the profit will be going to Project PEARLS. My momma wants to use our donations towards their Brain Booster program, a program for “homework help, basic english, math, spelling, reading, writing tutorial, arts and crafts, story telling, fun learning games.”
Project PEARLS was founded in the Bay Area but all its love goes to those in Ulingan. Now, about 5 years later, people all over the world are connecting with the organization. Right in the middle of the bridge, the California Bear and the Pilipina Eagle happily meet. This design represents the joy Project PEARLS’ connection brings. It shows that no matter who you are or where you are, we can all work together.
***PRE-SALES END ON MARCH 31*** ***Please e-mail for pick-up arrangements***
Keep in mind that 10% of the profit will be going to Project PEARLS. My momma wants to use our donations towards their Brain Booster program, a program for “homework help, basic english, math, spelling, reading, writing tutorial, arts and crafts, story telling, fun learning games.”
Purchase yours now at empireintheair.bigcartel.com
Pre-sales end on March 31 for all three pieces of the collection True Connections.
The Cloud Tee, $20 The Jetpack CrewNeck, $30 The Bridge Hoodie, $40 And keep in mind that 10% of the profit will be going to Project PEARLS. My momma wants to use our donations towards their Brain Booster program, a program for “homework help, basic english, math, spelling, reading, writing tutorial, arts and crafts, story telling, fun learning games.”
Thank you to everyone that’s supported so far! Please continue helping Empire on this journey. Let’s keep this climb’s momentum!
The Jetpack
The “Jetpack” is made out of the same materials as homes in impoverished areas— scraps of wood, plastic, and metal. The feather is a personal touch for the wings. This design insinuates how you can use what you got to rise above, even if all you have are “scraps.” The girl’s determined face and trusty Jetpack is a shout-out to Project PEARLS and its beloved kids. Together, we too can rise above.
***PRE-SALES END MARCH 31*** ***Please e-mail for pick-up arrangement***
We had a table full of little coloring pieces for the guests at the Release Party. In all honesty, we didn’t expect that much people to get their crayon on but man. I’m happy we had it. It was fun seeing people activate their creative side. Another plus was the love notes. (Thank you Melissa, I found it! Haha.)
This is Aiko. She is a Project PEARLS intern (semi mine) and a beautiful dancer. ( Shhh, Aiko. Stop denying it).
Christopher, Raymond, and Aiko shot this video on Sunday from about 11pm-2am and Christopher edited it yesterday— super duper crunch time to give you all a lovely reminder that you can still purchase your pre-sales from the collection.
Get your head out of the clouds. They're just dreams, fantasies, what-have-you's. Blah, blah, blah. Empire in the Air is a clothing line that defies those statements. It's a contraption that gives a lift to those who want to make their, excuse the corniness, dreams a reality. By supporting ProjectPearls.blogspot.com-- a foundation solely dedicated to giving kids in the Philippines the opportunity for an education-- this clothing line does more than raise itself up. It helps others reach their own empire. So screw the critics/non-believers/faith-lackers, stick your head at cloud-level, and let's build that Empire in the Air.
